To be annoyed that I get glared at for having a blue badge

After all, they're looking out for people like you and ensuring those parking in the spaces are entitled to be there.

I would love to see what other kind acts these saintly folk do for the disabled and vulnerable…

I would really hope the disability rights groups are all working hard to make it clear that not all disabilities are visible

I am bed bound a lot of the time due to mine, there are some outward symptoms but they are very subtle. My disability isn't less disabling than a disability you can visibly see. It's ignorant and rude to challenge me.

@Sparklebelle1024 , maybe think about it from a different perspective. I looked after my dad in the three years before he died, he lived with me and he couldn’t get out on his own. It’s odd the things you miss when you can’t do them anymore and he liked to go to the supermarket. It was very difficult for me though because I needed the extra space to bring his wheelchair alongside his seat and haul him out. It was really rare for there to be any disabled spaces free, I’d often be forced to park in a mother and child space but even they were scarce. I didn’t take him out so much in the end because I’d be hanging around waiting for a suitable spot to become available and nearly always a perfectly able bodied person would eventually turn up and get in the car they’d parked in the disabled space they didn’t need.
People aren’t entitled to be rude but they are I feel entitled to ask because disabled parking spaces are so often abused.
I thought your question was rather ageist by the way. Elderly people and middle aged people (carers) are the ones most likely to have come across abuse of disabled parking spaces.

"People care that these spaces are only used by those deserving of them, they have your interest at heart. "

It will their idea of who is deserving not who is legally entitled to one.

My opinion... There's going to be an awful lot less availability of BB spaces if they are not self-policed by the public

Nah, there are loads of traffic wardens about. We have a shortage of everything else, but we don't have a shortage of them!

Yes, many blue badge holders are not visibly disabled. However the vast majority of people who do not appear disabled are indeed not disabled. So it is perfectly fine to ask someone who does not appear disabled whether they have a blue badge, as long as it is done politely**

No it isn't ok. It is nobody's business.

As a pp said, the most you might do is have a peek in their windscreen once they've gone to see if they've displayed a blue badge, and if they haven't, you might tell a traffic warden. But you certainly don't challenge a person directly.

Ok, so interfere.... But only in certain situations?

If I'm walking past a space I might give a quick glance at the window. If I see a BB that's it. I move on. If I don't I might give a brave "scowl" to the driver! I might even mention it if I see a traffic warden (actually now that I think about it once I did report someone who parked and ran from the car - he was of the just nipping in for a minute gang - but he was back at the car before the warden even got to it) but I will not hang around, waiting to see someone getting out of the car and then checking if they've displayed a badge or not and then go report them. It easier to just look as you're passing. Rather than hang around for a sting operation!

As I said, best to get onto the disability rights groups and ask them to make this request publicly known.

My opinion... There's going to be an awful lot less availability of BB spaces if they are not self-policed by the public. But at least everyone will be happy 😉

Even if it's a traffic warden it's none of their business. They don't give blue badges away, so if you have one, you are entitled to it. If you have one, you are entitled to park in blue badge spaces as long as you comply with the rules and display your badge. That is all anyone needs to know, including traffic wardens.

never question anyone who parks in a BB space. Never look at the dashboard. Never risk eye contact. Just mond your own business

I think this is exactly what most people on this thread are asking for. That others cease and desist vigilante behaviors. If you really want to act as parking attendant wait until the occupants have left the car, check if there is a badge and report to relevant authorities if there isn't.

Don't inconvenience the occupants of the car who as people parking in a designated disabled spot probably have plenty going on in their lives already.

Someone earlier took great offense to able bodied people acting as "saviours" to BB holders.

Now it seems even disabled people are not allowed support each other either.

🤷🏻‍♀️

Good to know.

The badge is there for wardens and police to check, not for any old busy body to demand a peek

What if its an able bodied person who doesn't have a BB? As you said, sometimes you can't tell. And if he is unable to see the BB from where he is he could be letting an able bodied person who's "just nipping in for 5 minutes" park in a BB space.

But if that's what people think should happen then maybe the disability lobby bodies should get the word out there to never question anyone who parks in a BB space. Never look at the dashboard. Never risk eye contact. Just mond your own business and let the spaces be used as they will.

Yes but this was in reference to someone who wasn't able to see the badges feeling he could challenge

The question is not asked that often, and only after carefully weighing up all the evidence. So the stats are that most times it was the right call.

We did as I've said attract this kind of attitude and it was an additional hassle we really didn't need.

Exactly.

@TimeandMotion hasn’t answered about whether she would happily produce her driving license if a man stopped her and asked for it?

But you don’t have to discuss the disability! You just produce the badge!

The badge was displayed on the car in the appropriate way, once we all got out.

Why would I produce the badge for some random bloke? Or indeed discuss it, I was perfectly occupied enough supporting the client.

We did as I've said attract this kind of attitude and it was an additional hassle we really didn't need.

I very much doubt that.

No, you don’t. Not unless a traffic warden or police officer is asking for it.

If someone stopped you getting into or out of your car and demanded to see your driving license would you produce it for them?

Except the majority of times he’s asked the person has sheepishly moved. By hey ho, you continue with your own narrative to suit your argument.

@TimeandMotion if that's the words he uses then that's rude. Sorry. But it is.

I’ve already described the interaction blow by blow above. My brother is quite an amiable bloke. “Sorry [ or sorry pal if male, he’s in Scotland..], just checking you realise that’s a Blue Badge space?

it is occupied by a person with no entitlement

You have said repeatedly that your brother is stopping his car where he can’t see anyone’s BB and then asking people who don’t look the correct sort of disabled to him if they have a bb.

He has ZERO idea if they are allowed to be there, and the majority of the time he will be harassing disabled people who are minding their own business using a service designated for them.

He needs to pack it in.

@TimeandMotion how does your brother phrase the question?
"Do you have a Blue Badge?'
or
"Are you going to be leaving soon because I want the space after you if possible?"

But you don’t have to discuss the disability! You just produce the badge!

@TimeandMotion

Do you actually make an effort to be as insufferable as possible or does it just come naturally to you?